Why source from Japan
Hachijojima ashitaba carries GI protection; rapid-regrowth cultivation and the chalcone-rich profile are uniquely tied to Japanese coastal volcanic-island terroir.
Key spec
Total chalcone (xanthoangelol + 4-hydroxyderricin) 0.5-2.5% dry leaf; chlorogenic acid 1-3%; vitamin K 600-1,200 µg/100g.
Typical end-product
Cardiovascular-support supplements, ashitaba-cha for export retail, anti-ageing skincare actives.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 3 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 10–50 kg dried; 1–10 kg standardised extract
- Typical lead time
- 6–10 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Tokyo (Izu Islands — Hachijojima, Niijima), Chiba (Boso Peninsula), Kagoshima (Yakushima)
- Category
- Medicinal plants
- Harvest season
- Year-round (continuous regrowth; peak April – November)
- Japan regulatory status
- FFC notifications exist (cardiovascular support); food product status; cosmetic JSCI listed
- INCI name
- Angelica Keiskei Extract
- Japanese name
- アシタバ / 明日葉
- Romaji
- Ashitaba
About this ingredient
Native Japanese herb (Angelica keiskei), endemic to the Izu Islands and the Pacific coast of Honshu. Named 'tomorrow's leaf' for its rapid regrowth (a new leaf typically appears the day after harvest). Functional profile centres on chalcone compounds (xanthoangelol, 4-hydroxyderricin) studied for cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory positioning. Hachijojima (Izu Islands), Tokyo's volcanic islands, has GI-protected status for ashitaba; Yakushima and the Boso Peninsula also produce. Used in supplements, functional teas, and increasingly cosmetic active-ingredient lines.
Regulatory status
| Japan | FFC notifications exist (cardiovascular support); food product status; cosmetic JSCI listed |
|---|---|
| EU | Novel Food consideration; CosIng listed (Angelica Keiskei Extract) |
| United States | DSHEA NDI for supplements; GRAS by traditional food use; MoCRA cosmetic use |
| China | NMPA / TCM context; verify import classification |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Ashitaba (Tomorrow's Leaf) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Shiso / Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
紫蘇葉エキス
INCI Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract / Perilla Frutescens Red Leaf Extract; MOQ from 10–30 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Kuromoji / Lindera Umbellata
黒文字
INCI Lindera Umbellata Leaf Oil / Branch Oil / Branch-Leaf Extract; MOQ from 100 ml – 1 L essential oil; 1–10 kg dried.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Rice-Derived Glucosylceramide
米由来グルコシルセラミド
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 5–20 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier EU regulatory path
Ashitaba (Tomorrow's Leaf) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in EU. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sasa Bamboo Leaf Extract
クマザサエキス
Alkaline polysaccharide 5-15%; chlorophyll-derived bioactives 0.5-2%; minimal allergen profile.
Simpler in EU· shares 4 categories
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
イチョウ葉エキス
Flavone glycoside 24-26%; terpene lactone 6-9%; ginkgolic acid <5 ppm; bioactive: bilobalide, ginkgolide A/B/C.
Simpler in EU· shares 4 categories
Royal Jelly
ローヤルゼリー
10-HDA content 1.4-2.0% (fresh-equivalent basis); protein 12-18%; vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) carry-over.
Simpler in EU· shares 4 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Uchida Wakanyaku Ltd.
ウチダ和漢薬株式会社
Bunkyo, TokyoEst. 1947English supportExport experienceGMP (pharmaceutical)ISO 9001Standardised ashitaba extract
Tokiwa Phytochemical Co., Ltd.
常磐植物化学研究所
Sakura, ChibaEst. 1949English supportExport experienceYomogi Project Co., Ltd.
株式会社ヨモギプロジェクト
OkinawaHachijojima ashitaba retail and bulk
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Last updated: 2026-05-05